Chapter 70
Penny's pregnancy continued without any health problems for her and the baby as she made sure that she stuck to eating healthy and not stressing herself out. She would feel her son move and kick inside her belly which would always bring a smile to her face, knowing that her son is healthy and strong. Leonard focused himself on work and his family ever since he came back from his trip overseas. He would always come home early and make sure that whenever he leaves the apartment, there was food in the fridge, knowing how Penny eats twice as much as before. Penny was thankful that her husband was as supportive to her ordeal, always reminding him that all of this was his fault, just to entertain herself at seeing Leonard scramble to appease her. After all of the physical and emotional changes Penny's been going through, Leonard was glad that it didn't affect their intimacy as Penny rarely refuses him every time he gets frisky with her. Of course Leonard knew how to be careful in getting busy with his wife, learning from his previous experience with Sarah's mother and now with his wife.
Sarah also made sure to take care of her mother, making sure she's comfortable on the couch, sometimes massaging her feet or bringing her some hot tea to calm her nerves after experiencing a brief shortness of breath or feeling a little bloated. Most times, Sarah would sit beside her mother and read her books aloud so that her brother could hear her. This made the couple proud of the young lady, telling them that she wanted her brother to be as smart as her. Sarah would alternate between reading some story books, science and sometimes history or math after Amy once told her that a baby's brain is like a sponge, absorbing every bit of stimuli it senses even if it's still inside Penny's belly. William would always move or kick every time Sarah would read to him making Penny smile in knowing that her son would surely take after his father.
One day, Leonard and Sarah came into the apartment, carrying the takeout food they bought after Leonard picked her up from school.
"Mom we're home." said the child, finding Penny on the couch watching TV.
"Hey guys! What's for dinner?" asked Penny as Leonard leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the lips.
"We bought Mexican food mom." Sarah said as Leonard put the food on the coffee table.
"Ugh thank god...I'm starving." Penny said as they started eating. "And your son has been kicking non-stop." she added.
Leonard put his hand on Penny's belly. "Hey buddy...sorry we came in late…" he whispered onto her belly, feeling a slight movement from inside. "Woah...that is a strong one…" he said, amazed at how active his son is.
"Okay let's just eat...I'm sure this little one would settle down once he's fed." said Penny.
"Dad?" Sarah said.
"Yes honey…what is it?" said Leonard.
"Are we really gonna buy a house with that money that you received from your trip?" asked the young lady.
"Well yeah...I mean, it's a good idea right?" Leonard said.
"Why? Are you thinking of something else we can do with the money?" he asked.
"Nothing dad." said Sarah. "I'm just wondering if we're gonna buy a house before or after William is born." she said.
"I think it's better if we wait for your brother honey...it won't be good to stress out your mother in moving, not when she's only a month away from giving birth." said Leonard.
"Your dad is right sweetie...it's not like we could just buy the first house we see and move in right? We have to find a place that's safe...near your school and Caltech...and we need to find something that we can afford…" said Penny.
Sarah nodded. "Okay mom...I guess you're right." said the young lady.
"I'm always right sweetheart!" said Penny, giving Sarah a high five.
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A week later, Leonard was done washing up in the bathroom and was entering their bedroom, ready to rest for the night.
"Honey what are you doing?" Leonard asked, seeing Penny on the bed putting some stuff in a small duffel bag.
"I'm putting some stuff that we're gonna be needing in the hospital." said Penny while folding some baby clothes and diapers, making sure they are neatly arranged inside the bag.
"Here let me help you." he said, sitting in front of her and helping her fold a baby blanket, some socks and bonnets for the baby. "I can't believe I would be going through this again." he said.
"What?" Penny said.
"This...being a father for a second time...I mean, it wasn't a long time ago when June and I were doing this, having no clue if we can even take care of Sarah properly..." he said, making Penny smile.
"Well, you guys did good right?" she said, amused by her husband reminiscing the past.
"Oh you have no idea how scared I was the first time I held my daughter...I was so nervous that I would break her arms or something..." said Leonard.
"What about June? Was she nervous too?" Penny asked.
"That's the weird part...it's like she has done it before...you know, caring for a new-born baby." he said. "Like she could always tell what Sarah was feeling at that moment...and she always knew how to safely handle her without making her cry...I always had trouble with that part." he added.
"She must have gone down hard on you for leaving everything to her huh?" Penny said, laughing a bit.
"Yeah...but it got easier once I got the hang of it...especially when she was diagnosed with...you know..." Leonard said.
Penny gave her husband a weak smile and put her hand on his shoulder. "I can't imagine how difficult it was...given that situation..." she said.
"You can say that again...there was a time that I hated everything and everyone around me..." he said. "There I was with a year-old daughter and my wife is dying...I mean, honestly, how cruel it that?" said Leonard.
"I'm sorry honey...I know I can't replace her as your wife and a mother to Sarah...and it's an insult to her memory if I try to do that. But we're here now and your children need you more than ever. I need you." said Penny.
Leonard moved up and kissed her lips. "Don't worry honey...I'm not going anywhere." he said as they finish up with their hospital bag.
"It's a good thing Sarah's as smart as her mother." Penny said, trying to tease her husband.
"And what makes you think that she didn't get it from me?" Leonard said, giving his wife an amused expression.
Penny folded her arms and looked him straight in the eye. "Really Leonard?" she said.
Leonard sighed before taking the duffel bag and putting it in the closet. "Fine, you win." he said. "And I suppose this little one would take after you huh?" he asked, referring to their son.
Penny laughed, finding her husband cute when he gets a little steamed. "Aww...are you mad?" she said, putting her hands on his shoulder.
"A little bit." Leonard answered, playing a little hard to get.
"I'm sorry honey...tell me, how can I make it up to you?" she asked, slightly teasing him.
"Well...I uh...you know..." Leonard muttered, hoping his wife would understand.
Penny laughed, lightly pushing him on the bed. "Let go to sleep...I'm not in the mood." she said, surprising Leonard.
"Aww...come on Penny!?" he said.
Penny got on the bed and pulled the sheet over herself. "Turn of the lights will ya?" she said before closing her eyes and turning on her side.
Leonard sighed, knowing he can't do anything about it but to go along with his wife. He turned off the lights and removed his robe, joining his wife on the bed. Penny felt him and reached for his hand, putting it around her to feel his warmth before going back to sleep. Leonard moved his face nearer to smell her hair. "I love you honey." he whispered before closing his eyes.
Penny turned slightly. "I love you too honey...don't worry, we'll do it tomorrow." she said giving him a quick kiss before returning to her previous position.
"Hmmm." Leonard muttered as he slowly moved his hand over his wife's baby bump, knowing that their son will soon join them in a month or so.
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A month has passed and the young family can't wait for William to come out into the world. Leonard made sure to not take on any more projects in the university until his wife has given birth to their son. He also made sure that his and Penny's car were in good shape to have one less thing to worry about.
It was a couple of days before Penny's due date when Leonard was suddenly woken up, someone grabbed his arm and was violently shaking him. He opened his eyes and saw his wife wincing in pain, making him jump off the bed.
"Ugh...Leonard...I think this is it!" she said while trying to sit up on the bed. "Ahhh!" she said, trying to catch her breath.
"Okay honey...you need to relax...we've prepared for this." he said, helping his wife off the bed to get dressed. "We'll time the contractions so we'll know it's not a false alarm." he added while putting his pants and shirt on.
"Oh this is not a false alarm Leonard...believe me..." she said as she winced again, feeling another contraction. Penny finally got dressed after the contractions subsided as Leonard took their hospital bag from the closet before taking his wife into the living room. He then went to Sarah's room, waking up the little girl so she could come with them to the hospital.
"Is mom gonna be alright?" Sarah said as she started getting dressed.
"Of course honey...just hurry up so we could take your mom to the hospital okay?" he added before leaving her bedroom. Sarah joined her parents after a couple of minutes as Penny sat on the couch, trying to catch her breath.
"Mom...are you alright?" Sarah asked while looking at her mother.
Penny touched her daughter's face to reassure her. "Don't worry about me sweetheart...it's not that intense yet..." she said as she took a deep breath after another contraction hit her. "Arrgghhh..." she said wincing in pain.
Leonard came into the living room carrying the duffel bag on his shoulder. "Okay honey, let's get you to the hospital." he said, helping her up from the couch.
"I officially hate you now!" she said as Sarah went to open the door, running out into the hall to get the elevator.
"I think the elevator is broken dad." Sarah said while repeatedly pushing the button, getting no response from it.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Penny exclaimed.
"Talk about perfect timing." Leonard added. "Okay honey...we have no choice but to take the stairs..." he said as he put Penny's arms over his shoulder.
"This is unbelievable." said Penny as they start descending the building, holding onto the rails as Leonard made sure to support his wife. After a few minutes and with much effort from Penny, they finally reached the ground floor, making their way to the car. "This is definitely your fault Leonard!" she added.
"How many times do I have to apologize?" he asked as he opened the door for Penny to get in the front seat while Sarah jumped in the backseat, putting her seat belt on.
"Until I say so." she said as Leonard put her seat belt before getting in the driver's seat to start the car.
"You guys are so funny!" Sarah said, laughing at her parent's exchange.
"Not helping!" Leonard said as he pressed on the gas pedal, taking the road towards the hospital. "Relax honey, it won't be long now." he added.
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As soon as the young family arrived at the hospital, Sarah jumped out of the car and ran towards the emergency room, asking for someone to help her mother.
"Help! My mother is in the car! She's in labor now!" Sarah yelled as a couple of nurses followed her out of the emergency room.
"Okay baby girl...where's your mom?" asked a nurse, holding her hand.
"She's over there with my dad." Sarah said, pointing out to Leonard helping his wife out of the car.
"Get a wheelchair STAT!" said the nurse to the other. The other nurse ran back, bringing a wheelchair for Penny before bringing her into the emergency room. Leonard held his daughter to the side of the bed as the doctor and nurses attend to his wife, checking out her vitals.
"Hi I'm Dr. Holden, what do we have here?" he said, shaking Leonard's hand.
"My wife's in labor doctor." said Leonard as the medical staff continued checking Penny out.
"How's my mom?" Sarah asked.
The doctor smiled at the young lady. "Don't worry baby girl...we'll take good care of your mom...do we know the sex of the baby?" the doctor asked Leonard.
"We're having a boy." said Leonard.
"That's so nice...we'll you've done this before so I know you already know how this works right?" the doctor said to Penny.
"This is my first time actually." said Penny.
"Uh...I don't get it? Aren't you this young girl's mother?" asked Dr. Holden, referring to Sarah.
"I'm her stepmother." said Penny.
"Oh? Okay...I'm sorry...I didn't know." Dr. Holden said.
"Don't worry about it doctor...you're not the only one who makes that assumption." said Penny.
"Thank you...well, it'll still be some time until the young man makes his grand entrance so we'll just monitor you for now and time your contractions." the doctor said.
"Thank you doctor." said Penny.
"No problem, we'll bring you into another room for observation." said the doctor. "Just relax and before you know it...you'll be holding your son in your arms." the doctor added.
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After settling Penny into an observation room, Leonard took out his phone and started scrolling on the screen while Sarah sat beside her mother to comfort her.
"Who are you texting?" asked Penny.
"I'm texting your parents in Nebraska. I'm telling them that we're in the hospital now." said Leonard.
"Oh okay...just tell them not to worry alright? I don't want my mom freaking out about this." Penny said.
"Don't worry...I'll let them know that it'll be some time before they meet their grandson." he said.
"Are you gonna text grandma Beverly and grandpa Alfred too?" asked Sarah.
"Yes honey...I'll tell them that you're doing a good job in making your mom comfortable." Leonard said.
Penny leaned in and kissed Sarah on the cheek. "Good job sweetheart." she said before feeling another contraction, making her wince in pain. "Ugh...that's a strong one." said Penny, trying to catch her breath.
"Do you need some ice chips mom?" asked Sarah.
Penny gave her a weak smile. "You know what...sure, I've seen those movies where the pregnant lady eats some ice chips...I mean, it won't hurt trying it now right?" Penny said.
Sarah turned to her father. "You hear that dad? Mom needs some ice chips." she said, making Penny laugh.
Leonard sighed and gave his girls a stern look. "Fine..." he said, leaving the room in a huff.
Penny and Sarah looked at each other, laughing and giggling at their triumph over Leonard. "Good job sweetheart." she said, feeling another contraction.
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Penny's labor continued through the night up until early morning when her contractions became more frequent and intense. Leonard and Sarah could do nothing but be there for her as her strength slowly drains as the nurses wheel her into the delivery room, getting ready for William's arrival. Thankfully, Sheldon, Amy, Bernadette and Howard were there so Leonard could leave Sarah with them so he could join his wife in the delivery room.
"You stay here okay honey? I'm gonna make sure your mom is okay in there." he said to his daughter.
"I'm scared dad." said Sarah as Bernadette put her arm around her, consoling the young lady.
"Don't be scared honey...Your mom needs you to be brave now." he said before standing up. "Thanks for coming guys."
"Don't worry Leonard, your wife needs you now." said Bernadette. "We'll keep Sarah company for now." she added.
"Thanks...I'll let you know when the baby is here." said Leonard as he turned around to go into the delivery room to be with his wife. "Hey honey..." he said, holding her hand as she tried to keep a straight face.
"Urrgghh...it hurts like a son of a bitch!" Penny exclaimed.
"Just breathe honey...it won't be long now..." he said.
"Don't tell me what to do you jackass!" yelled Penny. "You did this to me!" she added while having another contraction.
"Okay Mrs. Hofstadter...the baby is ready to come out now..." said the doctor. "When I say push, you take a deep breath and push hard okay?" he said.
Penny nodded and took a deep breath before pushing with all her might while squeezing Leonard's hand with all her strength. Leonard could feel his hand breaking into a thousand pieces as his wife grunted, pushing hard with every ounce of energy she has left in her.
"Okay...the baby is here..." said the doctor.
Penny slumped her head back on the pillow as she heard William fill up the delivery room with the sweet sound of his first cry.